Alexander Zverev's decision to skip the Davis Cup final is a direct result of the ATP Finals champion signing with Roger Federer's Team8 Management firm, says Germany's Davis Cup captain.
In an interview with German's Tennis Magazin, captain Michael Kohlmann said he never expected Zverev to play the November 18-24th final in Madrid.
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"Alexander Zverev never played a role in our plans for Madrid because he ruled out from the very beginning to compete there," said Kohlmann of Zverev, who scored two singles wins in Germany's 5-0 qualifying sweep of Hungary.
Zverev is scheduled to play some exhibition matches against Federer in South America next month.
Kohlmann believes Team8 influenced Zverev's decision to skip Davis Cup and suggests both Federer and his agent Tony Godsick are making a statement against the new Davis Cup format by scheduling the South American exhibitions at the same time. Federer and Zverev are scheduled to square off in a Mexico exhibition on November 23rd.
"Godsick and Federer of course make a clear statement with this tour against the new Davis Cup final week and against the ITF," Kohlmann told Tennis Magazin.
Zverev has been embroiled in a lawsuit with former manager Patricio Apey and cited his off-court legal issues for some of his struggles this season.
Apey, a former ATP player, has shot back that the German "deliberately and illegally broke his contract, which was valid until at least 2023."
Photo credit: Christopher Levy